Kung Fu
Kung fu is a popular term that expresses Chinese martial arts in general. The term “kung fu” in Chinese alludes to any individual accomplishment or cultivated skill obtained by long and hard work. The origins of Kung Fu can be traced over 6,000 years ago to self-defense needs, hunting activities and military training in ancient China. Since then, Chinese martial arts proceeded to incorporate different philosophies and ideas into its practice expanding its purpose from self-defense to health maintenance and finally as a method of self-cultivation. Through Chinese Kung Fu history, various warriors developed different techniques (styles) of self-defense with particular sets of movements and ideas. Most of these styles were developed as progressions and offshoots of the styles created in two main ancient schools of martial arts in China. These schools were located at two philosophical centers, the Shaolin Temple (Buddhist) and the Wudang Mountain (Taoist). Today there are hundreds of Kung Fu styles. The Yau-Man style of Kung Fu was developed during the Ch’ing Dynasty (1644–1911) with the purpose of helping the Chinese revolutionaries in the war against the Manchu invaders.
Osmar has been training Yau-Man Kung Fu since 1996. He is a disciple of Master Lee Woon Wah, who lives in Sao Jose dos Campos - Sao Paulo, Brazil. Osmar has a bachelor degree in Physical Education and Applied Mathematics. He also has a Masters and a PhD degree in Biomedical Engineering. His research focus is, among other things, the biomechanics of Yau-Man Kung Fu.
